Maidenhead and Bray 1st XI vs Bagshot 1st XI 26/8/2017

The 1st XI travelled to relegation rivals Maidenhead and Bray with a clear game plan to leave relegation in our own hands. 18 points behind, we needed to restrict our hosts to 2 points and win the game, so toss duly lost we had to bowl them out for 124 or less, and knock them off for 3 max. Alternatively under 149 and knock them off for 1.
We started well, i took a wicket 3rd ball of the match, George followed with another shortly after, both snared by the impressive Psycho at gully.
Jonny came on for George and bowled his most impressive spell of the season, 10 overs 5 maidens, 2 wickets for 12 runs, he applied the pressure we were after and from 70-3 the home side tumbled, Brad also bowling his most disciplined spell this year with 2-22 off 10 overs. Figjam and then George finished the innings, sadly at 124-9 we needed to take the final wicket, but two wides allowed the hosts a 2nd point before the last wicket fell at 126.
A fantastic effort by everyone in the field, notably Psycho who took one of the best catches seen in a Bagshot shirt, a full one handed dive to his right, followed by a direct hit run out to add to the two earlier catches, and also the bowling attack who after last weeks 41 wides bowled with better discipline and skill to almost achieve our aim of 124. Our best effort in the field by far this season.

In reply we needed a calm start, but lost Jack fourth ball lbw for a duck, not the start we were looking for. We now had to knock the runs off without losing another wicket, but Psycho, promoted to 3 after last weeks heroics, fell for 10, Geordie for 16 and Brad for 7 left us now only worried about winning. Chris was quietly going about his business at the other end, and was joined by Stu with the score on 71-4. The 127 required seemed a long way off, and Penners and I did at least 5 laps of one of the most picturesque grounds in the league, nervously watching things unfold. Stu dug in for Chris who scored the majority of the runs in a 49 run partnership, Stu last out for a patient but well made 6 considering the match situation, before Figjam came in and hit the winning runs with 9 overs to spare. Chris unbeaten on 47 and in the circumstances his most important contribution of the season.
All in all one of the best team performances of my 5 years as captain, relegation now out of our hands, but Windsor are now in the mix as well as Maidenhead and Bray, but first of all we must win our final game at home to Kidmore End and see where that takes us.

MOM Jonny A his spell completely stopped the hosts in their tracks, closely followed by Chris for his match winning contribution.